Small Saphenous Vein

Description[edit|edit source]

TheSmall Saphenous Vein(SSV) is a superficial vein of the posterior leg. It drains the leg's lateral surface and runs up the leg's posterior surface to drain into the popliteal vein. Previously called also "lesser saphenous vein" or "short saphenous vein", the use of those terms has been discouraged and are no longer recommended for the purpose of standardizing terminology^[1].

Anatomy[edit|edit source]

据几位描述的small saphenous vein (SSV) has major anatomical variations due to its embryological origin^[2]. The SSV enters thepopliteal fossaand then drains into the popliteal vein just above the level at which the two heads of thegastrocnemiusdiverge, by either joining the popliteal directly or after joining a gastrocnemius vein first. The small saphenous vein possesses from nine to twelve valves, one of which is always found near its termination in the popliteal vein^[3]. About one-third to one-half of the way down from the popliteal fossa to theankle, near the inferior termination of the gastrocnemius muscles, the sural nerve enters the saphenous space and is adjacent to the SSV. These two structures become more intimately related further down the calf. Thesural nerveprovides sensory innervation to the posterolateral calf and lateral aspect of thefoot^[4].

Course[edit|edit source]

The SSV extends from the lateral margin of the foot posterior to the lateral malleolus. It then ascends along the posterior surface of the leg and passes between the two heads of gastrocnemius. In some people, the small saphenous vein drains into the popliteal vein at the saphenopopliteal junction, whose location is variable but proximal to the tibial plateau in most cases. The SSV usually gives off a branch, the vein of Giacomini, which extends up the thigh and runs between thebiceps femorisandsemimembranosusmuscles^[5].

Function[edit|edit source]

The small saphenous vein's primary function is to receive deoxygenated blood from the lower legs and return it to the heart. The blood from the small saphenous vein typically drains into the popliteal vein located around theknee^[6].

Clinical Significance[edit|edit source]

There are conditions that can be associated with the Small Saphenous Vein:

• Varicose Veins.
• Venous Reflux Disease or Venous Insufficiency.
• Formation of blood clots leading toThrombophlebitisthat can cause pain and inflammation of the extremities.

小隐静脉回流是一个进口(科学)ant and often overlooked cause of superficial venous insufficiency. It is present in about one-sixth of patients with superficial venous insufficiency, and its manifestations are often confused with reflux in the great saphenous vein (GSV)^[4].

Different treatments are prescribed depending not only on the signs and symptoms but also on the condition's severity. When venous insufficiency becomes a chronic problem, the saphenous vein can be shut down viaendovenous ablationor removed with traditionalvein stripping. This can also be performed for cosmetic reasons^[6]. Clinically, the knowledge of the SSV variations is useful duringcoronary artery bypass graftsas it is increasingly being used as the grafted vein. Therefore, it's necessary for plastic surgeons to know the variant course and termination of the small saphenous vein^[7].

^[8]

References[edit|edit source]